Tell me about a time you gave your supervisor a negative project update.

"During my summer internship, I was designated to receive all field reports and analyze the integrity of the field data before delivering to the client. During my reviews, I realized I was missing a chunk of data from the field. First, I called the field engineer to make sure I had received the correct files and let him know there was data missing. The field engineer confirmed that it was the correct file and told me he would see why there was data missing. The next day, the field engineer informed me that the tool that was being used downhole at the job had been lowered too quickly at a few points which resulted in missing data, and no one in the field noticed. I was given the unfortunate job of delivering this news to my supervisor. It was a regrettable mistake, but the client was understanding. Fortunately, we were able to correlate data from nearby wells to give the client reasonable results."

Your goal as an interviewee should be to speak frankly, openly, and in detail, even about a sensitive subject. By using the STAR method (a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing), it is easy to prepare for even the most challenging of behavioral questions. If you can show your interviewer how you were able to find strength and encouragement even amid disappointment, he or she will be able to see how you will behave dealing with similar situations if hired by this company.